The American Student Dental Association encourages all dental schools to enact written leave of absence policies and procedures for students who are pregnant, postpartum, or parenting in accordance with Title IX of the US Education Amendments of 1972 including, but not limited to:

1. Reasonable accommodations—including but not limited to excusing absences, rescheduling exams, providing virtual alternatives and extending deadlines for clinical responsibilities—as necessary for:
1. The perinatal period and its various demands on the mother
2. Postpartum recovery and maternal-infant bonding
3. Paternity leave encouraging father engagement and bonding
4. Pediatrician visits and other required and recommended health care needs for children
2. Alternatives for students returning from leave of absence to complete any missed clinical or academic work, including options that would allow the student to be reinstated to the same status upon when the leave began, and allow the student to determine the most suitable alternative for their individual circumstances
3. Recommendations and information about resources for postpartum and parenting students, such as lactation facilities and local child care centers
4. Contact information for the dental school or parent institution’s Title IX Coordinator.